Mummy Told Me Not to Tell: The true story of a troubled boy with a dark secret

Written by Cathy Glass

Narrated by DeNica Fairman

ONE REMARKABLE WOMAN. OVER 30 YEARS OF FOSTERING. THE STORY OF ONE CHILD SHE COULD NEVER FORGET.

Seven-year-old Reece is the last of six siblings to be taken into foster care. He can't cope with school and is often excluded for his violent and aggressive outbursts. But behind that anger is a kind little boy with secrets – he's just too scared to tell.

When Reece arrives at Cathy's door aged 7 years old, he has already passed through the hands of four different carers in four weeks. As the details of his short life emerge, it becomes clear that to help him, Cathy will face her biggest challenge yet.

Reece is the last of six siblings to be fostered. Having been in care for four months his aggressive and disruptive behaviour has seen him passed from carer to carer. Although only 7, he has been excluded from school, and bites people so often that his mother calls him 'Sharky'.

Cathy wants to find the answers for Reece’s distressing behaviour, but he has been sworn to secrecy by his mother, and will not tell them anything. As the social worker prepares for the final hearing, he finds five different files on Reece’s family, and is incredulous that he had not been removed from them as a baby. When the darkest of family secrets is revealed to Cathy, Reece’s behaviour suddenly starts to make sense, and together they can begin to rebuild his life.

The latest title from the author of Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Damaged.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9780007577835

Cathy Glass

Cathy has been a foster carer for over 25 years, during which time she has looked after more than 100 children, of all ages and backgrounds. She has three teenage children of her own; one of whom was adopted after a long-term foster placement. The name Cathy Glass is a pseudonym. Cathy has written 16 books, including bestselling memoirs Cut, Hidden and Mummy Told Me Not To Tell.

Reviews for Mummy Told Me Not to Tell

[wearylibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once again, Glass has written a riveting book. This story is about Reece, a young boy who is developmentally challenged. He has gone through several foster families in the short time he has been in care and Cathy is his last hope. Whenever asked about his home life his response is "I dunno." The shocking discovery of who Reece's biological father is will leave the reader stunned.

[neverwithoutabook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All of Cathy Glass' books are wonderful reads and yet troubling at the same time. Her writing is very down-to-earth and matter-of-fact. The stories she writes about are what are troubling. One has no choice but to feel sympathy for the children she has cared for. This book is no exception.

[Angie Rose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing and incredible work done by an amazing lady to help a very special little boy. This book is well worth the read

[Beth Draves · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was floored! What a terrific narration of this wonderful story! The narrator made it so real & the accents were amazing! You'll fall in love with Reese! You gain an understanding of how the UK uses carers which are foster parents for kids from troubled homes. God Bless all who do that job as Kathy Glass does! Reese would have been lost and his life would have been not worth a pound! I want to read her other books of other children she cared for.

[Karen Edwards · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant book. Happy and sad at times couldn't put it down